NHS Grampian Charity has awarded £230,000 to community-led health and wellbeing projects through the latest round of its Community Grants Programme, bringing the total awarded through the programme to £1.1 million since its launch in 2020.
A total of 29 charities and community organisations have received funding through the latest round of the programme, which provides grants to support health and wellbeing initiatives in communities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Projects receiving support include therapeutic workshops, practical skills classes, peer-support initiatives, sensory facilities, toys and play equipment, and much more.
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, says, “We received an incredible number of applications for this year’s Community Grants Programme and are delighted to be supporting 30 organisations across Grampian.
“These projects aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities through activities focusing on healthy eating, exercise, mental health peer-support, education, and much more.”
AberNecessities are one of the charity’s to have received a grant this year. The Aberdeen-based charity provides disadvantaged families with the essential and basic necessities that no child should go without. From nappies and formula milk to toys and warm winter coats, AberNecessities support children from birth to 18 years, to help give them the best start possible.
Danielle Fletcher-Horn, founder of AberNecessities, says, “AberNecessities are incredibly grateful to receive funding to purchase beds alongside our ‘snug as a bug’ bags for 43 local children.
“Not only will these ensure children have a safe and appropriate place to sleep, but they gift children the opportunity to learn, play and thrive the following day. We thank NHS Grampian Charity for sharing our belief and vision that no child should go without sweet dreams.”
NHS Grampian Charity launched its Community Grants Programme in 2020 to provide support to community groups and organisations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the charity has gone on to fund almost 150 community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across Grampian totalling £1.1 million.
Ms Duthie says, “We are lucky to have so many incredible charities and community-led organisations who are supporting people across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
“Enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people of Grampian is our biggest priority, and it is wonderful to see the broad range of projects that we have been able to fund since our Community Grants Programme began.
“These activities, along with the projects we fund in NHS Grampian hospitals, are only possible because of the incredibly generous donations made by the people of Grampian.
“Thank you to every single one of our supporters – together we are making a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.”
This other Community Grants recipients this year are:
Absafe awarded £9,672 for art, music and drama therapy to address mental health challenges.
Aberdeen Sports Village awarded £9,490.34 for an initiative to provide parents and guardians of children in Energisers Programme with knowledge on wellbeing, nutrition and physical activity.
Beannachar Ltd. awarded £10,000 for the creation of a sensory room for young adults with learning disabilities.
Befriend a Child awarded £7,110 for the Family Support Project to support local families who are experiencing social isolation, and financial and mental health challenges.
Bethany Christian Trust awarded £3,000 to support people experiencing challenges with recovery from additions, mental health, social isolation, and poor physical health.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland awarded £10,000 for the creation of a Health Defence Team to embed preventative care and encourage people to have direct involvement in their own health.
Community Integrated Care awarded £9,434 for the ‘A Life Well Lived’ programme to tackle health inequalities and empower the lives of disabled communities to be more active, connecter and purposeful.
Ellon Community Allotments awarded £10,000 for the development of the allotment site.
Forget-Me-Not Club awarded £7,960 for willow weaving sessions for people with dementia.
Four Pillars awarded £10,000 for the Grampian Sexual Health and Wellbeing (G-SHAW) project to address disparities in LGBT+ health outcomes.
Gairn Community Garden awarded £10,000 for the purchase of a polytunnel to create a year-round growing space.
Grampian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association awarded £7,740 for six defibrillators for community-based classes and activities.
Home-Start Aberdeen awarded £3,974 for the ‘Recipe for Life’ programme to support young families in poverty to eat more healthily.
Inchgarth Community Centre awarded £7,750 for wellbeing classes and activities for pre-school children, older adults, and adults with additional support needs.
Kincardine & Deeside Befriending awarded £10,000 for befriending visits and outings for older people who are lonely, isolated, and living independently.
Moray Flying Circus awarded £9,064.75 for promoting physical and mental wellbeing through circus activities.
Moray Rape Crisis awarded £9,770 for an outreach support project for adult survivors of sexual violence.
Moray Wellbeing Hub awarded £9,968.25 for a project to support self-management skills of people facing mental health challenges.
OaKley ASN awarded £10,000 for equipment and resources for a sensory room.
Pain Concern awarded £1,692 for Pain Education Sessions for people experiencing chronic pain.
Pillar of Hope awarded £7,200 for culturally tailored health education and wellbeing workshops for BAME adults and families.
Quarriers Moray Carer Support awarded £9,098 for short break therapeutic group activities to enhance mental health and wellbeing, and promote the importance of self-care.
REAP awarded £10,000 for the creation of a therapeutic community garden in Keith.
Rotary Club Aberdeen Deeside awarded £10,000 for the provision of wheelchair-accessible play equipment for Duthie Park.
SensationALL awarded £6,000 for a social group for children and teenagers with neurodivergent or complex conditions.
SHMU awarded £10,000 for a ‘Creative Wellbeing’ project to support individuals in enhancing their own wellbeing while strengthening communities.
Sporting Memories Foundation awarded £3,325 for the development of two Sporting Memories clubs to provide inclusive physical activities and connection for older people who share a passion for sport.
Tillydrone Community Campus awarded £7,625 for free educational talks on a range of health, wellbeing and social topics.
NHS Grampian Charity is the official charity of NHS Grampian and the largest health improvement charity in the north-east. It funds projects, services and research which enhance patient experiences in more than 20 hospitals across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, as well as supporting community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across the region.